Meet James Bradley - Heineken Tasty Ambassador Apprentice Superstar!!

Meet James Bradley - Heineken Tasty Ambassador Apprentice Superstar!!

Age: 22

From: Hereford

Title of apprenticeship: Apprentice Maintenance Engineer

James Bradley, 22, is employed as an Apprentice Maintenance Engineer at international brewing company, Heineken. Currently in the third year of a four year apprenticeship, James previously spent 18 months working at a local dairy farm before deciding that he wanted to pursue a career in engineering. After registering with a local training organisation, James was made aware of local companies offering apprenticeships that were relevant to his interests and qualifications. After considering his options, James decided on Heineken after being impressed by the high tech work environment on offer.

He said, “I hadn’t really considered an engineering position within the food and drink industry, but once I visited Heineken’s site in Herefordshire, I couldn’t believe how much nicer it was than what was on offer within other industries – just really clean and hygienic!

During his apprenticeship so far, James has learned how to maintain and repair a variety of highly technical equipment and machinery through Heineken’s skills workshops, as well as gaining a wealth of knowledge about the wider food and drink industry.

James said, “I hope to become a fully qualified engineer after I’ve finished my apprenticeship and eventually move into middle-management. I’m confident that my apprenticeship has given me the skills to achieve this and, now I know more about the Heineken hierarchy and the opportunities available in the food and drink industry, I would definitely recommend the industry to others. It’s a really stable industry, with good prospects and a massive variety of roles and opportunities available.

“In fact, I do recommend apprenticeships to my friends all the time. My cousin is just getting ready to do his A-levels and doesn’t know what he wants to do afterwards, so he’s seriously considering an apprenticeship after I told him all about my experience.”

James also recently became a Tasty Careers Ambassador at a training event organised by the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink (NSAFD), enabling him to promote apprenticeships at schools across Herefordshire as a Heineken representative.